A 3 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study of Disco - Vertebral Changes and Nerve Root Compression in Degenerative Lumbar Radiculopathy

Lumbar radiculopathy, characterized by lower back and hip pain radiating to the lower limbs, often involves symptoms such as anaesthesia, hypoesthesia, paresthesia, motor loss, and pain, with degenerative changes and nerve root compression frequently implicated. This study aimed to evaluate the role of 3 Tesla MRI in identifying disco -vertebral changes and nerve root compression in patients with degenerative lumbar radiculopathy. Conducted among 50 patients at Narayana Medical College and Hospital, Nellore, from October 2022 to April 2024, the study found a slight male predominance, with most participants aged between 40 and 59. The L4/L5 disc level was most commonly affected, followed by L5/S1. The primary disc abnormalities observed were disc desiccation and disc bulge, with additional findings including ligamentum flavum hypertrophy, mild thecal sac indentation, and complications such as cauda equina and nerve root compression. The study highlights the effectiveness of 3 Tesla MRI in detecting these degenerative changes and neural compromises.